Find out how popular the last name Magas is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Magas.

Magas, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Magas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Magas in America

Magas is the 70403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Magas surname appeared 278 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Magas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Magas to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Magas

The surname "MAGAS" originated in Greece, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word "magos," meaning "magician" or "sorcerer." This name may have been given to individuals who practiced magic or had a reputation for possessing mystical powers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who mentioned a group of people called the "Magi" in his work "The Histories." The Magi were a priestly caste in ancient Persia, known for their knowledge of astrology, divination, and other occult practices.

During the Byzantine Empire, the surname "MAGAS" was associated with individuals who held positions of power and influence. In the 10th century, a nobleman named Michael Magas served as a high-ranking official in the court of Emperor Basil II.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Georgios Magas was a scholar and philosopher who studied at the University of Constantinople. His writings on metaphysics and the nature of reality were highly regarded during his time.

In the 16th century, a Greek merchant named Ioannis Magas established a successful trading company, facilitating the exchange of goods between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions. His business ventures helped to spread the surname across various parts of Europe and the Middle East.

During the Greek War of Independence in the early 19th century, a military leader named Konstantinos Magas played a significant role in the fight against Ottoman rule. He led several victorious battles and is celebrated as a hero in Greek history.

Throughout the centuries, the surname "MAGAS" has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, politicians, and academics. Some notable figures with this surname include:

1. Nikos Magas (1923-1999), a renowned Greek painter known for his abstract expressionist works.
2. Eleni Magas (1889-1972), a Greek novelist and short story writer who explored themes of love, family, and societal changes.
3. Petros Magas (1924-2021), a prominent Greek politician who served as a member of parliament and held several ministerial positions.
4. Alexandros Magas (1870-1946), a Greek philosopher and educator who taught at the University of Athens and contributed to the fields of ethics and metaphysics.
5. Despina Magas (1912-1986), a celebrated Greek soprano who performed in various opera houses across Europe and gained international recognition for her vocal abilities.

While the surname "MAGAS" has its origins in ancient Greece, it has spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. Today, individuals with this surname can be found in countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and various regions of the Mediterranean, as well as in communities with Greek diaspora populations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Magas

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Magas.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Magas was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Magas has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Magas was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Magas, please contact us.

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